Tamper resistant storage systems for food and other items

ABSTRACT

A tamper-resistant, sealable container, comprising a container having a bottom portion, a top portion, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, wherein the bottom and top portions and sidewalls define an interior of the container and an exterior of the container; and a plurality of strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on surfaces of the container, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do not engage one another when the container is in an open configuration, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do engage one another when the container is in a closed configuration, and wherein the engagement of the strips of self-sealing pressure-sensitive adhesive with one another seals the container closed in a tamper-resistant manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a division U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/495,918 filed on Oct. 7, 2021, and entitled “Tamper Resistant StorageSystems for Food and Other Items”, which was a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/199,054 filed on Mar. 11, 2021 andentitled “Tamper Resistant Containers for Food and Other Items”, whichwas a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/073,969 filed on Oct. 19, 2020 and entitled “Tamper ResistantContainers for Food and Other Items”, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and made partof the present U.S. utility patent application for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed inventive subject matter relates in general to storagesystems, containers, and packages used for food, perishable items, andother items, and more specifically to tamper-resistant storage systemsfor use with carry-out, pick-up, and delivery services used for food andother items.

Carry-out, pick-up, and delivery systems and services used for food andother items are commonplace in modern society. However, such systems andservices necessarily involve multiple individuals handling, packaging,and in some circumstances delivering, the food or other items. Customersand consumers of such systems and services are often understandablyconcerned about the integrity of the packaging that the food or otheritems is stored in prior to pick-up or delivery and about the accuracyand contents of an order. A purchase receipt is often attached to orincluded with food packaging that is picked-up or delivered. However,this receipt may become lost, detached, or otherwise separated from thefood packaging. Additionally, the food packaging may be opened, damaged,or otherwise tampered with prior to delivery, resulting in customerconcern and/or dissatisfaction. Accordingly, a food packaging systemthat utilizes or includes tamper-resistant features is highly desirable.

SUMMARY

The following provides a summary of certain example implementations ofthe disclosed inventive subject matter. This summary is not an extensiveoverview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects orelements of the disclosed inventive subject matter or to delineate itsscope. However, it is to be understood that the use of indefinitearticles in the language used to describe and claim the disclosedinventive subject matter is not intended in any way to limit thedescribed inventive subject matter. Rather the use of “a” or “an” shouldbe interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”.

One implementation provides a first tamper-resistant, sealablecontainer, comprising a container having a bottom portion, a topportion, and a plurality of sidewalls extending between the bottomportion and the top portion, wherein the bottom and top portions andsidewalls define an interior of the container and an exterior of thecontainer; and a plurality of strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitiveadhesive disposed on surfaces of the container, wherein the strips ofself-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do not engage one another whenthe container is in an open configuration, wherein the strips ofself-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive do engage one another when thecontainer is in a closed configuration, and wherein the engagement ofthe strips of self-sealing pressure-sensitive adhesive with one anotherseals the container closed in a tamper-resistant manner. The containermay further identifying indicia printed across the sealed portion of thecontainer. The container may be a paper or plastic bag of the type usedfor storing and transporting food, groceries, and other items. Thecontainer may be a paper or plastic box of the type used for storing andtransporting food, groceries, and other items. The adhesive may be arubber-based or latex-based adhesive capable of adhering to itself.

Another implementation provides a second tamper-resistant, sealablecontainer, comprising: a container having a closed bottom portion; acloseable top portion; two substantially flat side wall portionsextending between the bottom portion and the top portion; and twopleated sidewall portions extending between the bottom portion and thetop portion on either side of the flat sidewall portions, wherein eachpleated sidewall portion includes a first section and a second section,and wherein the bottom portion, top portion, and sidewall portionsdefine an interior of the container and an exterior of the container;two strips of adhesive disposed on the outer edges of the interior ofeach flat sidewall portion near the top portion of the container; astrip of adhesive disposed on the interior of the first section of eachpleated sidewall portion and a strip of adhesive disposed on theinterior of the second section of each pleated sidewall portion adjacentto the strip of adhesive disposed on the first section, wherein eachstrip of adhesive disposed on a pleated sidewall portion is positionedlower than the strips of adhesive disposed on the outer edges of eachflat sidewall portion, wherein none of the adhesive strips engage oneanother when the container is in an open, unsealed configuration,wherein the adhesive strips on the outer edges of one flat sidewallportion engage the adhesive strips on the outer edges of the other flatsidewall portion when the container is in a closed, sealedconfiguration, wherein the adhesive strips on the first and secondsections of each pleated sidewall portion engage one another when thecontainer is in a closed, sealed configuration, and wherein theengagement of the strips of adhesive with one another seals thecontainer closed in a tamper-resistant manner. The container may furtheridentifying indicia printed across the sealed portion of the container.The container may be a paper or plastic bag of the type used for storingand transporting food, groceries, and other items. The adhesive may be aself-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may be arubber-based or latex-based adhesive capable of adhering to itself.

Still another implementation provides a third tamper-resistant storagesystem, comprising a tamper-resistant, sealable container, comprising acontainer having a closeable bottom portion; a closeable top portion; afirst sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the top portion,wherein the first sidewall includes a bottom flap and a top flap; asecond sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the topportion, wherein the second sidewall includes a bottom flap and a topflap; a third sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the topportion, wherein the third sidewall includes a bottom flap and a topflap; and a fourth sidewall extending between the bottom portion and thetop portion, wherein the fourth sidewall includes a bottom flap and atop flap, wherein the bottom portion, the top portion, and the sidewallportions define an interior of the container and an exterior of thecontainer; a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposedon the outer surface of the top flap on the first sidewall, and a stripof self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outersurface of the top flap on the third sidewall, which is located oppositethe first sidewall; a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesivedisposed on the inner surface of the top flap on the second sidewall,and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on theinner surface of the top flap on the fourth sidewall, which is locatedopposite the second sidewall, wherein the engagement of the strips ofself-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive with one another seals thecontainer closed in a tamper-resistant manner. The container may furtheridentifying indicia printed across the sealed portion of the container.The container may further comprise a strip of self-sealing,pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outer surface of the bottomflap on the first sidewall, and a strip of self-sealing,pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outer surface of the bottomflap on the third sidewall, which is located opposite the firstsidewall; and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesivedisposed on the inner surface of the bottom flap on the second sidewall,and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on theinner surface of the bottom flap on the fourth sidewall, which islocated opposite the second sidewall. The container may be a paper orplastic box of the type used for storing and transporting food,groceries, and other items. The adhesive may be a rubber-based orlatex-based adhesive capable of adhering to itself.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein and may be implementedto achieve the benefits as described herein. Additional features andaspects of the disclosed system, devices, and methods will becomeapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading andunderstanding the following detailed description of the exampleimplementations. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, furtherimplementations are possible without departing from the scope and spiritof what is disclosed herein. Accordingly, the drawings and associateddescriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive innature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a partof the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exampleimplementations of the disclosed inventive subject matter and, togetherwith the general description given above and detailed description givenbelow, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter,and wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a first example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is an envelope shownin an unsealed configuration;

FIG. 1B depicts the example implementation of FIG. 1A in a sealedconfiguration with a portion of the paper receipt component beingvisible on the exterior of the tamper-resistance container;

FIG. 2A depicts a second example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a paper bag shownin an open configuration;

FIG. 2B depicts the example implementation of FIG. 2A shown in a closedor sealed configuration, wherein the paper receipt component has beenused as a closure device;

FIG. 3A depicts a third example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a paper bag shownin an open configuration and an adhesive-bearing paper receipt componentis shown prior to placement around the upper portion of the bag;

FIG. 3B depicts the example implementation of FIG. 3A shown in a closedor sealed configuration, wherein the paper receipt component has beenused as a closure device;

FIG. 3C depicts the example implementation of FIG. 3B, wherein the paperreceipt component has been partially torn off the upper portion of thebag to unseal the container and allow access to the contents thereof;

FIG. 4A depicts a fourth example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a tamper resistantpaper bag of the type used to store and transport food and other items,and wherein a receipt component is not used for sealing the container;

FIG. 4B depicts the container of FIG. 4A, wherein a plurality ofadhesive strips have been deposited on the interior surfaces of thecontainer in a manner that permits the strips of adhesive to not engageone another when the container is in an open configuration and todirectly engage one another when the container is in a closedconfiguration, thereby sealing the container in a tamper-resistantmanner;

FIG. 4C is an alternate view of the interior of the container of FIG. 4Bshowing the positioning of the adhesive strips on the interior surfacesof the container;

FIG. 4D depicts the container of FIG. 4A shown in a closed, sealedconfiguration;

FIG. 5A depicts a fifth example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a tamper resistantcardboard box of the type used to store and transport food and otheritems, wherein a receipt component is not used for sealing thecontainer, and wherein a plurality of adhesive strips have beendeposited on certain surfaces of the upper and lower flaps of the boxfor allowing the box to be closed and sealed in a tamper-resistantmanner; and

FIG. 5B depicts the container of FIG. 5A shown in a partially closedconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example implementations are now described with reference to the Figures.Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to referto the various elements and structures. Although the following detaileddescription contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, aperson of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variationsand alterations to the following details are within the scope of thedisclosed inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the followingimplementations are set forth without any loss of generality to, andwithout imposing limitations upon, the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 1A depicts a first example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is an envelope shownin an unsealed configuration and FIG. 1B depicts the exampleimplementation of FIG. 1A in a sealed configuration with a portion ofthe paper receipt component being visible on the exterior of thetamper-resistance container. In FIGS. 1A-1B, tamper-resistance container100 includes an envelope, sack, or bag component 102 and a receiptcomponent 120. Envelope, sack, or bag component 102 includes closedlower portion 104, middle portion 106, which accommodates various itemsfor storage, and closeable upper portion 110. Adhesive 108 may bedeposited on the upper area of middle portion 106 and adhesive 112 maybe deposited on closeable upper portion 110. The adhesive allowscontainer 100 to be sealed in a closed configuration simply by foldingupper portion 110 onto middle portion 106 and applying pressure. In thisimplementation, receipt component 120 does not include adhesive, butrather is folded at a predetermined angle and inserted into container100 prior to the closure and sealing thereof. Exterior portion 122,which includes identifying indicia (e.g., order contents, name of personordering, delivery address, etc.) remains on the outside of container100 while interior portion 124 remains within middle portion 106 afterclosure and sealing. In this manner, receipt component 120 cannot beremoved or replaced without damaging the receipt itself or re-openingthe sealed container, either of which would provide evidence oftampering to the customer. Various adhesives may be used with thisexample implementation including latex or rubber based adhesives or anyother glue or adhesive material, including self-sealing materials,suitable for use with the disclosed tamper resistant containers.

FIG. 2A depicts a second example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a paper (orplastic) bag shown in an open configuration; and FIG. 2B depicts theexample implementation of FIG. 2A shown in a closed or sealedconfiguration, wherein the paper receipt component has been used as aclosure device. In FIGS. 2A-2B, tamper-resistance container 200 includesbag component 202 and receipt component 250. Bag component 202 includesclosed bottom portion 204, middle portion 206, which accommodatesvarious items for storage, front panel 208 in which first slot 210 isformed, rear panel 212, in which second slot 214 is formed, first sidepanel 216, and second side panel 218. Receipt component 250 includesfirst adhesive end 252 and second adhesive end 254, which are joinedtogether when receipt component 250 is looped through first slot 210 andsecond slot 214 to form a closure device. When closed in this manner,container 200 cannot be re-opened without removing the receiptcomponent, and receipt component 250 cannot be removed or replacedwithout damaging the receipt itself, which would provide evidence oftampering to the customer. Various adhesives may be used with thisexample implementation including latex or rubber based adhesives or anyother glue or adhesive material, including self-sealing materials,suitable for use with the disclosed tamper resistant containers. Receiptcomponent 250 may also include a detachable portion 256 that may beremoved from the longer portion of receipt component 250 if the user ofthe container wishes to retain information printed thereon.

In another implementation, the disclosed tamper-resistant container is aplastic or paper bag or similar item that includes a row of apertures orholes formed in or near the upper, open edges thereof. These aperturesor holes may be formed using a specialized manual or automated punch orother item capable of punching completely through the material of thebag. The apertures may be formed in the bag prior to the use of the bag(e.g., at the time the bag is manufactured) or the apertures may beformed at the point of purchase by a cashier or other person by usingthe described punch. The apertures may be any of a variety of shapesincluding circular, oval, square, rectangular, triangular, andtrapezoidal. The bag is sealed with a receipt that is typicallygenerated at the time the items placed within the bag are purchased. Thereceipt may be standard paper or a thermal type printable paper thatfurther includes an adhesive that is applied directly onto one side ofthe receipt. The receipt may be provided in roll form or in othercommonly used forms. The adhesive may be self-adhesive or a rubber orlatex type adhesive that permanently seals the receipt to the materialof bag and to the material of the receipt itself. After the items havebeen placed in the bag, the adhesive-bearing side of the receipt isplaced over and across the apertures or holes, either in a horizontal orvertical orientation, such that the adhesive sticks to itself though theapertures or holes, as well as sticking directly to the material of thebag. By sealing the top edges of the bag in this manner, the sealed bagcannot be re-opened without damaging both the receipt and the materialof the bag itself, making any tampering clearly apparent.

FIG. 3A depicts a third example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a paper bag shownin an open configuration and an adhesive-bearing paper receipt componentis shown prior to placement around the upper portion of the bag. FIG. 3Bdepicts the example implementation of FIG. 3A shown in a closed orsealed configuration, wherein the paper receipt component has been usedas a closure device; and FIG. 3C depicts the example implementation ofFIG. 3B, wherein the paper receipt component has been partially torn offthe upper portion of the bag to unseal the container and allow access tothe contents thereof. In FIGS. 3A-3C, tamper-resistant storage system300 includes bag component 302 and receipt component 320. Bag component302 includes closed bottom portion 304, middle portion 306, whichaccommodates various items for storage, front panel 308 in whichapertures 310 are formed, rear panel 312, in which apertures 314 areformed in horizontal alignment with apertures 310, first side panel 316,and second side panel 318. Receipt component 320 includes adhesive 322deposited on one side thereof. In FIGS. 3A-3C, apertures 310 and 314 arecircular in shape and have been formed immediately adjacent to oneanother to create a perforation along the upper edge of bag component302. Receipt component 320 includes adhesive deposited along the lengthof one side thereof and is long enough to fold completely in half andonto itself as shown in FIG. 3B, while leaving a slight overhang (seeleft side of 320). This overhang may be grasped and used to pull receiptcomponent 320 upward such that the perforated top edge of bag component302 tears neatly in a linear manner (see FIG. 3C) to unseal bagcomponent 302. Receipt component 320 cannot be removed from bagcomponent 302 without damaging the upper portion of the bag component,thereby making any tampering with the seal visible. Receipt component320 may also include detachable portion 324 that may be removed from thelonger portion of receipt component 320 if the user of the containerwishes to retain information printed thereon. Additionally, as shown inFIG. 3A, receipt component 320 may include centrally located guideline322 running lengthwise along receipt component 320 for facilitatingproper positioning of receipt component 320 on the closeable upperportion of container.

FIG. 4A depicts a fourth example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a tamper resistantplastic or paper bag of the type used to store and transport food andother items, and wherein a receipt component is not used for sealing thecontainer. FIG. 4B depicts the container of FIG. 4A, wherein a pluralityof adhesive strips have been deposited on the interior surfaces of thecontainer in a manner that permits the strips of adhesive to not engageone another when the container is in an open configuration and todirectly engage one another when the container is in a closedconfiguration, thereby sealing the container in a tamper-resistantmanner. FIG. 4C is an alternate view of the interior of the container ofFIG. 4B showing the positioning of the adhesive strips on the interiorsurfaces of the container. In FIGS. 4A-4C, container 400 includesexterior region 402; interior region 404; closed bottom 406; firstsidewall 408, which is substantially flat; second sidewall 410, which issubstantially flat; third sidewall 412, which includes first pleatedsection 414 and second pleated section 416; fourth sidewall 418, whichincludes first pleated section 420 and second pleated section 422; andopen top 424. Two strips of self-sealing adhesive 430 are disposed onthe outer edges of the interior of each flat sidewall portion 408 and410 near the top portion of container 400. A strip of self-sealingadhesive 450 is disposed on the interior of the first section (414, 420)of each pleated sidewall portion and a strip of self-sealing adhesive450 is disposed on the interior of the second section (416, 422) of eachpleated sidewall portion adjacent to the strip of self-sealing adhesivedisposed on the first section (414, 420). Each strip of adhesivedisposed on a pleated sidewall portion is positioned lower than thestrips of adhesive disposed on the outer edges of each flat sidewallportion such that the various strips of adhesive do not overlap. None ofthe adhesive strips engage one another when the container is in an open,unsealed configuration (see FIG. 4A-4C). The adhesive strips 430 on theouter edges of one flat sidewall portion engage the adhesive strips 430on the outer edges of the other, opposite, flat sidewall portion whenthe container is in a closed, sealed configuration, and the adhesivestrips 450 on the first and second sections of each pleated sidewallportion engage one another when the container is in a closed, sealedconfiguration (see FIG. 4D). The engagement of the strips of adhesivewith one another seals the container closed in a tamper-resistant mannerbecause any attempt to open the sealed container will visibly damage thematerial of the container due to the permanent nature of the bond formedbetween the strips of adhesive.

FIG. 5A depicts a fifth example implementation of the disclosedtamper-resistant containers, wherein the container is a tamper resistantplastic or cardboard box of the type used to store and transport foodand other items, wherein a receipt component is not used for sealing thecontainer, and wherein a plurality of adhesive strips have beendeposited on certain surfaces of the upper and lower flaps of the boxfor allowing the box to be closed and sealed in a tamper-resistantmanner. FIG. 5B depicts the container of FIG. 5A shown in a partiallyclosed configuration. In FIGS. 5A-5B, container 500 includes exteriorregion 502; interior region 504; closeable bottom 506; first sidewall508, which includes upper flap 510 and lower flap 512; second sidewall514, which includes upper flap 516 and lower flap 518; third sidewall520 which includes upper flap 522 and lower flap 524; fourth sidewall526, which includes upper flap 528 and lower flap 530, and open top 532,which may be sealed in a tamper-resistant manner. Strips of self-sealingadhesive 540 are deposited on the exterior of upper flaps 510 and 516and, optionally, on the exterior of lower flaps 512 and 518. Likewise,strips of self-sealing adhesive 550 are deposited on the interior ofupper flaps 522 and 528 and, optionally, on the interior of lower flaps524 and 530. In some implementations, the adhesive used on the lowerflaps is not a self-sealing adhesive. Container 500 is sealed by simplypressing adhesive strips 540 and 550 together to form a bond. Theengagement of the strips of adhesive with one another seals thecontainer closed in a tamper-resistant manner because any attempt toopen the sealed container will visibly damage the material of thecontainer due to the permanent nature of the bond formed between thestrips of adhesive.

The implementations shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5B and described abovetypically use one or more commercially available self-sealing adhesives,such as CASA 101 Sel Sealing Adhesive (Casa Adhesives, Inc.; Calhoun,GA), to create permanent bond between the sections of the containerbeing joined together to seal the container in a tamper-resistantmanner. A self-sealing adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive thatcan form a strong bond with itself and with another substrate. Apressure-sensitive adhesive (also referred to a PSA or self-stickadhesive) is a type of non-reactive adhesive which forms a bond whenpressure is applied to bond the adhesive with a surface. No solvent,water, or heat is needed to activate the adhesive. As the name“pressure-sensitive” indicates, the degree of bond is influenced by theamount of pressure which is used to apply the adhesive to the surface.Surface factors such as smoothness, surface energy, removal ofcontaminants, etc. are also important with regard to proper bonding.PSAs are usually designed to form a bond and hold properly at roomtemperatures and typically reduce or lose their tack at low temperaturesand reduce their shear holding ability at high temperatures. “Permanent”pressure-sensitive adhesives are initially pressure-sensitive andremovable (for example, to relabel mislabeled goods), but after hours ordays change their properties by becoming less or not viscous, or byincreasing bond strength such that the bond becomes permanent.

As previously stated and as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,”and “the,” refer to both the singular as well as plural, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. The term “comprising” as usedherein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterizedby,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional,unrecited elements or method steps. Although many methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used, particularsuitable methods and materials are described herein. Unless contextindicates otherwise, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpointsinclude all numbers subsumed within that range. Furthermore, referencesto “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excludingthe existence of additional implementations that also incorporate therecited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary,implementations “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality ofelements having a particular property may include additional elementswhether or not they have that property.

Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used forconvenience only, do not limit the disclosed subject matter, and are notreferred to in connection with the interpretation of the description ofthe disclosed subject matter. All structural and functional equivalentsto the elements of the various implementations described throughout thisdisclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinaryskill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference andintended to be encompassed by the disclosed subject matter. Moreover,nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the publicregardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the abovedescription.

There may be many alternate ways to implement the disclosed inventivesubject matter. Various functions and elements described herein may bepartitioned differently from those shown without departing from thescope of the disclosed inventive subject matter. Generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other implementations. Differentnumbers of a given module or unit may be employed, a different type ortypes of a given module or unit may be employed, a given module or unitmay be added, or a given module or unit may be omitted.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (providedsuch concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as beingpart of the disclosed inventive subject matter. All combinations ofclaimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure arecontemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosedherein. While the disclosed inventive subject matter has beenillustrated by the description of example implementations, and while theexample implementations have been described in certain detail, there isno intention to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications willreadily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosedinventive subject matter in its broader aspects is not limited to any ofthe specific details, representative devices and methods, and/orillustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe general inventive concept.

What is claimed:
 1. A tamper-resistant, sealable container, comprising:(a) a container having a bottom portion, a top portion, and a pluralityof sidewalls extending between the bottom portion and the top portion,wherein the bottom and top portions and sidewalls define an interior ofthe container and an exterior of the container; and (b) a plurality ofstrips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on surfacesof the container, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitiveadhesive do not engage one another when the container is in an openconfiguration, wherein the strips of self-sealing, pressure-sensitiveadhesive do engage one another when the container is in a closedconfiguration, and wherein the engagement of the strips of self-sealingpressure-sensitive adhesive with one another seals the container closedin a tamper-resistant manner.
 2. The container of claim 1, furthercomprising identifying indicia printed across the sealed portion of thecontainer.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is a paperor plastic box of the type used for storing and transporting food,groceries, and other items.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein theadhesive is a rubber-based or latex-based adhesive capable of adheringto itself.
 5. A tamper-resistant, sealable container, comprising: (a) acontainer having a closeable bottom portion; a closeable top portion; afirst sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the top portion,wherein the first sidewall includes a bottom flap and a top flap; asecond sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the topportion, wherein the second sidewall includes a bottom flap and a topflap; a third sidewall extending between the bottom portion and the topportion, wherein the third sidewall includes a bottom flap and a topflap; and a fourth sidewall extending between the bottom portion and thetop portion, wherein the fourth sidewall includes a bottom flap and atop flap, wherein the bottom portion, the top portion, and the sidewallportions define an interior of the container and an exterior of thecontainer; (b) a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesivedisposed on the outer surface of the top flap on the first sidewall, anda strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on theouter surface of the top flap on the third sidewall, which is locatedopposite the first sidewall; (c) a strip of self-sealing,pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the topflap on the second sidewall, and a strip of self-sealing,pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the inner surface of the topflap on the fourth sidewall, which is located opposite the secondsidewall, (d) wherein the engagement of the strips of self-sealing,pressure-sensitive adhesive with one another seals the container closedin a tamper-resistant manner.
 6. The container of claim 5, furthercomprising identifying indicia printed across the sealed portion of thecontainer.
 7. The container of claim 5, further comprising: (a) a stripof self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outersurface of the bottom flap on the first sidewall, and a strip ofself-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the outer surfaceof the bottom flap on the third sidewall, which is located opposite thefirst sidewall; and (b) a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitiveadhesive disposed on the inner surface of the bottom flap on the secondsidewall, and a strip of self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesivedisposed on the inner surface of the bottom flap on the fourth sidewall,which is located opposite the second sidewall.
 8. The container of claim5, wherein the container is a paper or plastic box of the type used forstoring and transporting food, groceries, and other items.
 9. Thecontainer of claim 5, wherein the adhesive is a rubber-based orlatex-based adhesive capable of adhering to itself.